Disclaimer: I don't own MaiHime.
Side Note: WAHH.. yes, I know.. I am soo late... sorry... the site acted up, yashan-kun knows! But lo! I'm back.. yep!
A/N: THANK YOU... you guys don't know how glad I am to actually have supportive readers.. Without those reviews, arghh, I won't have the heart to post the rest of the chapters.. so, thank you, really...I went gaga over the reviews, the sweet comments, the THREATS -can't miss those!- and ofcourse the corrective notations..Thanks..! hahah..
Now, the pressure to actually top that chappie is too much.. wahahaha! LMAO..
Anyways, here it is... chapter 8! The title yes, it's a bit off, because-- I'll tell you guys later.. you know how I rant at the end.. haha!
Please enjoy...
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MAKI MAKI
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Chapter 8: Way Back into Love
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Natsuki shook frenziedly.
"I—I'm sorry…" Natsuki said. She wasn't too sure how long she held Shizuru's face but she can't will her body to move otherwise. The other stayed quiet.
The kiss was answered. And that was bad…
Here it is—so close!
Why hasn't she taken the girl before?
Why wait this long to realize something oh-so obvious?
Her hands that once cupped the lovely frame of Shizuru's face now dropped halfheartedly on her side.
I messed up…
The lack of response from the other girl until now is unnerving.
I messed up—again…
She blinked away tears that threatened to fall. Turning around, she decided to leave the place.
I… I don't think I can---
Her thoughts are cut short by firm hands. Natsuki felt herself swirl back inside warm and comforting arms.
"You… don't need to apologize… Natsuki-chan…" Shizuru's voice was small. Natsuki still can't look at the other.
"Maa… Such a sweet person you are…I don't know why... but.. it's okay... really..."
Natsuki can't help but sob.
She can't take this.
She wants to get Shizuru back… She wants to get her Shizuru back so badly.
The older girl cradled her until her trembling subsided.
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"Do you want more?"
"Yes… please…"
They now sat facing each other, the older girl serving tea.
Just like before.
"My my… pouting is an expertise of yours, yes?" Shizuru cheerfully remarked. Natsuki felt her blush deepen. She reached for the cup offered and concentrated on the liquid that swirled inside it.
Shizuru sighed which made her look up. Worry grazed the lovely face and again her heart breaks.
"…A-Anou… G-Gomen, S-Shizuru…" Natsuki wavered. "…san…" adding the last word was an after thought.
This is foolish. She just kissed the girl who remembers nothing of her! But still—
Shizuru was still Shizuru.
"…I said, it's alright, Natsuki-chan…" Shizuru's smile was effortless. "That was… unexpected… But—I think that's okay, yes?"
She let the matter rest, deciding that if Shizuru's okay with it, then good for her. This could also mean that the chest-nut haired beauty wants to take the incident lightly.
Natsuki unconsciously touched her lips, and then looked at Shizuru. She quickly averted her eyes when she realized Shizuru was also looking at her.
She wished she was right in vaguely seeing a faint blush on the other's cheeks.
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"…And so?--- you could've at least told us---" Haruka's voice was loud enough even before they entered the room nonchalantly. Harumi was followed by a ranting Haruka and both were actually surprised to see Natsuki and Shizuru quietly sipping tea. Natsuki stared at Harumi then switched to Shizuru.
Her heart beat furiously. She wanted to confirm that Yukino's research is at par with reality.
There was no sudden change shown from Shizuru's reaction.
Natsuki felt a sigh of relief but steadied her hopes. She saw Harumi quickly getting over the shock and now smiled luxuriously at them.
Or at Shizuru…
"Well, hello there Natsuki-san…" She walked towards a now standing Shizuru. "And how are you, Shizuru-hime?" Her hand reached to stroke Shizuru's face, as she glanced at the fuming blue-haired. Natsuki resisted the urge to hit the other girl. Haruka gave her a warning look.
"I am good, Harumi-san… Natsuki-chan and I are having tea, would you two like to have some?" Shizuru said, paying no mind to the obvious tension in the room. She suavely moved away from Harumi's touch as she offered her service to them.
Haruka just nodded an acknowledgment and sat herself in between Natsuki and the snow-haired girl. The biker winced at the distance she now have with Shizuru. Her eyes almost dimmed as she focused her attention to Harumi who strongly held her gawk in place.
She was startled when soft hands touched her shoulder. "Tea, Natsuki-chan?" She felt her cheeks blushed; Harumi totally forgotten now; what matters most are those soft caring hands that skillfully poured the wistful liquid into her almost empty cup.
Shizuru is still Shizuru.
This girl is the reason why she left.
And just the same, this girl is the reason why she came back.
Natsuki smiled as she felt Shizuru cheerfully gave her one. As she drank hers, she realized she just can't have anyone else.
It has got to be Shizuru!
Her ire for Harumi carefully set aside, she managed to focus on things idly discussed. Sadly she was just introduced as a close friend of Yukino and Haruka, and, almost too excruciating, Shizuru just accepted it – no questions asked. But Natsuki felt her heart flutter at the thought of the kiss they shared. Shizuru seemed to agree to keep it as a secret, and really didn't mind that someone 'unfamiliar' actually kissed her the first sane moment they met.
And how Shizuru greeted Harumi was a relief. There was no special gesture, no kissing or whatsoever!
"Oi! Natsuki--?" Haruka's voice rang rather loudly and snatched the biker from her trance. Natsuki looked at the group who equally stared at her in disbelief.
Now, when did Shizuru returned to her seat--?
She saw Haruka's hand wave in front of her, the frown very apparent.
"…Saa… Natsuki… please do not embarrass me like this…" Haruka was muttering as the blonde tsked. Natsuki saw Shizuru giggle a little which didn't help her reddening face.
"Ah! I almost forgot… I need to speak to Natsuki-san…" Harumi said as she stood up. Haruka was also going to follow her but was stopped gently by Natsuki. Earning her a questioned look, Natsuki just smiled.
"I think Harumi-san needs to speak to me alone…" Natsuki followed Harumi who already headed for the door. She turned around before completely leaving with Natsuki.
"We'll be back… Just a quick chat, that is all…" Harumi grinned.
"…Harumi-san—" Haruka's protest was shushed.
"Don't worry Haruka-san… I'll just give Natsuki-san here a … tour…" Harumi added. Natsuki nodded in agreement and beamed at Shizuru before going out.
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They entered a room just adjacent to the one where Shizuru and Haruka stayed.
"Quite a 'new' day, isn't it?"
She snapped a look at Harumi, which was answered by a sly grin.
"Letting us face her alone… You did that on purpose!"
"…Quick, aren't we?"
"What if she went ballistic again?!" Natsuki slammed her fist on the wall.
Harumi was unfazed. "It never happened, neh?" She sat cross-legged.
"Listen…" she pointed a finger at Natsuki, while her other hand supported her chin, "…I will actually help you… in attaining a place – again – in Shizuru's life…" Natsuki was shocked beyond words. She stared back at the crimson orb so eerily similar to those of Shizuru's.
Natsuki knew Harumi wasn't lying. But still, she was skeptical about it.
"You know where I went today…?" earning nothing but stillness, the snow-haired continued. "I went and spoke with Alyssa-chan." Natsuki chose to sit down to be able to take in all of the information.
"Natsuki actually has a choice here…" Harumi was saying rather dreamily." Does Natsuki want Shizuru to remember her…?"
The biker thought for a moment. Then shook her head.
"I… I honestly don't know... the repercussion of my wants…it's too risky..."
"Great answer!" Harumi's voice boomed. " You are a thinker, Natsuki Kuga. That is why I will help you… by giving you options…"
The puzzlement was there.
"Give it straight to me Tamagaki!"
"Oohh… Touchy aren't we? Very well…" Harumi stood. She walked and neared Natsuki, resting both her hands to trap the blue-haired in her seat, Natsuki flinched.
"Your first yet rather 'slow-in-progress' option is to actually start over… You know…? Being close to her, actually trying to win her… We have to just hide the fact that you knew each other from way, way back… " Harumi closed in, Natsuki tilted her head to the side.
"…and my other option?" It escaped her like feather.
"I will tell her the truth… well, half of it, that is… Only that you two knew each other… and well, she greatly understands that she may have forgotten bits and pieces of her past…" The other girl's lips almost brushed on her cheek. Sweat trickled at her side.
Natsuki tried to focus. The first one is safe but can she trust herself from not giving away some of the past things they did? On the other hand, the second was appealing, but what if Shizuru acted up again?
Harumi noticed Natsuki's inattentiveness to her actions. She forcibly took Natsuki by the chin to the other's surprise.
"…My…are you…wavering…?" Natsuki clenched her teeth. Her voice thundered.
"If you tell her that we know each other, will not her remembering me hurt her? It's stupid of you for suggesting something like that! I cannot risk Shizuru being hurt again!"
Harumi straightened herself up, harshly letting go of Natsuki's face. The outburst was good.
Very pleasing.
She turned her back and walked towards the door. Natsuki shot up.
"W-Wait! We're not done yet!"
Harumi stopped even before Natsuki could even try to. She turned around and smiled.
"It's really up to you, Natsuki Kuga…" Natsuki thought for a moment.
"…Why…?"
"What...?" Harumi turned to her again.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you even trying to help me? Don't you hate me or something? You 'killed' me, remember? Why are you even giving me a chance?" She felt her chin being forcibly held again by Harumi's slightly calloused hand. She tried to back away but was held in place by an equally strong grip.
"Yes, you are right… I could've just kept you away from her, neh?" Harumi's scent drowned her. She pursed her lips. Harumi suddenly let her go, which left her staggering back to her seat, her other hand feeling her jaw.
That-- was a surprise. And it actually got to Natsuki that Harumi was capable of actually eliminating her!
"..But…It would be no fun…right? I so love to fight on an even battlefield…" Harumi stepped away, calm again, and reached for the door handle, jarring it open. "…It would be – unfair – for me to win against someone who doesn't even exist..." Her words pierced painfully.
"Winning Shizuru-hime from you is my happiness… You have to keep that in mind."
Natsuki couldn't move. She cannot decipher Harumi and her devious plans.
"BANG!" Harumi pointed her hand in a gun-like manner and 'shot' Natsuki. The biker was left with the echo of Harumi's chuckle.
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She got up, feet a little wobbly from the intensity of the decision she made. When Natsuki got out of the room, she was surprised to see Harumi waiting by the door.
"Thought I'd go back there without you?" The grin was unbearable. Natsuki evaded Harumi's mocking gaze. The crimson-eyed shrugged and walked pass the girl towards the adjacent room where Haruka and Shizuru waited. But before she opened the door, Natsuki's hand fell on her shoulders.
"Hmm?" Her voice was incredibly soft, Natsuki cringed.
"I—I have decided."
Harumi stopped and turned to look at the other girl.
"Go on…" she pushed. Natsuki averted her eyes.
When she was left to think, her mind recoiled. She wanted Shizuru—badly. But seeing that she now only brings pain to the older girl, her resolve has weakened.
On the other hand, starting over would be just the same. And she can't help but hate herself for realizing that yes… she was still selfish.
But…
"Shizuru should be with me…" Natsuki's voice was bolder. Harumi's amusement lengthen. Natsuki continued. "…and I should be with her…"
She let her emerald eyes clashed with the red ones the snow-haired possess.
"I will not have it any other way…" her voice was surprisingly menacing.
"… So? Which do you prefer? I can tell her that you're one of the memories she, unfortunately, lost… pretty much it… And all the remembering will be up to her… of course you'll be helping her… I won't—get in the way…" Natsuki wetted her lips. Harumi's voice were cold.
The possibility of Shizuru withdrawing from her is very, very high.
Harumi noticed her weakness. "…Or we can just let this be…Just this… be careful of mentioning the past, or reviving memories from the past… Live a lie, for once… Or you forfeit…" Although Natsuki isn't looking at her, she knows Harumi smiled widely now, the delight evident from her voice.
Yes, Natsuki understands. Choose the first, and Shizuru might hate her more than what she's expecting. Plus, the risk of Shizuru breaking totally devastated her.
Choose the latter and once she makes a desperate attempt to rekindle the past, she knows Harumi will do –anything- to erase her from Shizuru's life -- again.
Harumi impatiently tapped her fingers on her forehead.
"Do you want me to give suggestions?" Her mocking voice resonated through Natsuki's ears. Just as Harumi turned around again, the biker's hand gripped the latter's arm.
"Listen… I said, I have decided…" Her breath was hot.
"Tamagaki Harumi… I will not allow Shizuru to be with you—or anyone else…" The grin on the snow-haired disappeared. She sternly faced Natsuki, seriously accepting the invisible challenge: a race to Shizuru's heart. Natsuki let go of her arm and headed in front of Harumi, smoothly clutching the door handle.
"Introduce me…again... Tell her I'm Kuga Natsuki… And that I... I will help her remember… everything… no matter what…"
The voice was full.
It was perfect.
Harumi smiled delightfully, unbeknownst the blue-haired goddess.
It was too perfect.
"Flawless, Kuga Natsuki…" Her breath almost reached Natsuki's back.
And as the biker's hand pushed to open the door to where her princess waited, she prayed ardently that she made the right choice.
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A/N: Eeep! No stabbing please.. LMAO! Longer and more wordy.. I think.. Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this.. let me know what you think.
The title.. yes, holy-bundle-of-joy! Way back into Love... HAHAHA!! Why, you may ask..? See below...
Excerpt from my blog:
My brother is just a hopeless romantic! Haha!! Guess what, I was playing Eureka7 –what else??- when he popped up and asked to play his song, his fave song… Well I'm normally cranky every morning so I gave him the glare… But he was soooo persistent… And I just had to know what his fave song was… added ammunition when I get in the mood for teasing… WAHAAHAHA…
So he hooked up his player to mine and uploaded his stuff…
GAHHHH!!!
Way back into Love!!
By: Hugh Grant and err... Haley Bennett -- I thought this was a duet between Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore?? –
Hahahah!!!
I was laughing my intestines off!!
–eeepp! Gross!
But—hahahahah!! I never thought he's a sucker for things like this… Though I have to admit, it kindda appeals to me… --SUDDEN REALIZATION!!--
--eeep---
We ARE related!! --GASP-- Oh nooooooooo------
--end excerpt--
There.. Gahh.. I JUST had to let you guys know.. A good laugh is an excuse to sob.. O.o
Yes, again, thank you for the reviews for last chappie.. and again... Please send reviews for this one.. Black Sakuyamon, hello there! don't stress yourself too much with studies, ok? hehe..
Yet again-- this is an experiment... blah blah.. you know the rest.. be kind..
Questions? mail me.. And requests for pairs? Yea, I'm nursing the idea for MikotoMai, and it MIGHT be included here.. revisions are up ahead...
If you're new and just read this fic of mine, thank you for taking time in doing so.. please don't forget to send in a review, or just a log.. I would appreciate it.. Hope you guys enjoy my other fic...
--I'm Gone!--